The Judicial Strengthening to Improve Court Effectiveness (JUSTICE) Project is a five-year, Php820 million ($20 million) project started in October 2012 focusing on strengthening the rule of law and streamlining the local judicial process. JUSTICE will support reforming court procedures in order to improve judicial efficiency, decongest court dockets and reduce court delay. This project aims to remove improper filing practices, instate case timelines and strengthen contract enforceability in order to achieve judicial accountability and efficiency.

JUSTICE is a USAID/Philippines project under the Partnership for Growth (PFG), a White House initiative. The PFG represents a partnership between the Philippines and the United States to promote broad-based and inclusive growth. The U.S. Government is working with the Government of the Philippines, the private sector and civil society organization to help put the Philippines on an accelerated growth trajectory that benefits the majority of its population.

The Project aligns with the goal and PFG intervention themes of good governance anchored on rule of law and regulatory quality. Reformed judicial processes will reduce business costs and facilitate efficient and reliable adjudication, helping the Philippines further develop.

ACTIVITIES
The JUSTICE Project helps decrease the cost of doing business and increase investor confidence in the Philippines through more efficient and predictable resolution of court cases, particularly those involving corruption, commercial disputes, intellectual property rights violations and contract enforcement.

Project resources will be used to implement a computerized case management tool for assessing the volume of cases, searching case files, and reporting the progress of cases. The JUSTICE Project is designed to increase the efficiency, transparency of the judicial system of the Philippines, thereby addressing a significant constraint to inclusive economic growth.

In addition, USAID supports related components that address the Rule of Law objectives in aspects directly related to growth such as strengthening contract enforcement, and improving the intellectual property rights enforcement.

GOAL
To strengthen rule of law and streamline the local judicial process.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Reduce docket congestion and court delays

Strengthen contractual enforcement

Strengthen enforcement of intellectual property rights

Support integrity and confidence-building measures for the justice system